Apparatus and method for waste ink disposal in solid ink jet printer

Abstract

A method for disposing of waste ink from an image producing machine ( 10 ) is provided. The machine ( 10 ) includes a printhead ( 32 ) that ejects ink in its liquid form from a face ( 32 a ) of the printhead ( 32 ), the ink being phase change ink existing in liquid form above a melting temperature and in solid form below the melting temperature. The method includes: catching waste ink from the printhead ( 32 ) in a gutter ( 34 ); heating the gutter ( 34 ) to a temperature above the melting temperature; and, flowing the waste ink from the gutter ( 34 ) into a collection container ( 38 ) where it is allowed to solidify.

1. A method for disposing of waste ink from an image producing machine including a printhead that ejects ink in its liquid form from a face of the printhead, said ink being phase change ink existing in liquid form above a melting temperature and in solid form below the melting temperature, said method comprising:
 (a) catching waste ink from the printhead in a gutter; 
 (b) heating the gutter to a temperature above the melting temperature, wherein said heating includes heating different portions of the gutter at different times; and, 
 (c) flowing the waste ink from the gutter into a collection container where it is allowed to solidify. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 squeegeeing waste ink from the face of the printhead such that it drops into the gutter. 
 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waste ink is in liquid form when caught by the gutter and it is allowed to re-solidify and accumulate in the gutter before the gutter is heated in step (b). 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gutter is an elongated trough including opposing first and second ends, said first end being proximate to the collection container and said second end being distal to the collection container, and wherein step (b) is carried out such that accumulated solid ink in the gutter is re-liquefied progressively from the first end of the gutter to the second end of the gutter. 
   
   
     5. A system for disposing of waste ink from an image producing machine including a printhead that ejects ink in its liquid form from a face of the printhead, said ink being phase change ink existing in liquid form above a melting temperature and in solid form below the melting temperature, said system comprising:
 catching means for catching waste ink from the printhead; 
 heating means for heating the catching means to a temperature above the melting temperature, wherein the heating means heats a first portion of the catching means at a first time and heats a second portion of the catching means different from the first portion at a second time different from the first time; and, 
 collection means for collecting the waste ink that flows from the catching means into the collection means where it is allowed to solidify. 
 
   
   
     6. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 wiper means for wiping waste ink from the face of the printhead such that it drops into the catching means. 
 
   
   
     7. In an image rendering machine using a phase change ink that exists in a liquid phase above a melting temperate and in a solid phase below the melting temperature and having a printhead with a face from which ink in its liquid phase is ejected, a waste ink disposal apparatus for disposing of waste ink collected in its liquid phase from the face of the printhead, said waste ink disposal apparatus comprising:
 a gutter that catches waste ink from the face of the printhead; 
 heating means for heating the gutter to a temperature above the melting temperature, said heating means including a first heater arranged proximate a first location and a second heater arranged proximate a second location, wherein the heating means is operated such that the first heater is energized before the second heater; and, 
 a collection container for collecting the waste ink that flows from the gutter into the collection container where it is allowed to solidify.